Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close this search box.
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter

Dozens killed in attack on church in Nigeria’s Ondo state

  • June 6, 2022
  • Carrie Brown McWhorter
  • Africa, International News, Latest News, Persecuted Church
As many as 50 worshippers may have been killed in a June 5 attack on a Catholic church in Nigeria’s Ondo state.
Twitter photo

Dozens killed in attack on church in Nigeria’s Ondo state

Gunmen attacked a Catholic church in Nigeria’s Ondo State during Sunday Mass June 5, killing at least 28 people.

The attackers rode in on motorcycles and stormed St. Francis Catholic Church in the town of Owo as the service was coming to a close. The attackers detonated explosives and opened fire on frightened congregants.

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu called it a “vile and satanic attack” and a “calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom.”

As many as 50 may have been killed, but local officials have not confirmed the total number of casualties.

Augustine Ikwu, a spokesperson for the Catholic church in Nigeria, said the bishop and priests from the parish had survived the attack unharmed. The church has denied initial reports that the presiding priest had been abducted, according to news reports.

Violence against Christians

Attacks in southwest Nigeria are rare, but violence against Christians, primarily by terrorists with ties to Islamist groups, are common in the country’s north.

Akeredolu released a statement on Twitter calling on all Nigerian people to “condemn, in the strongest term possible, this latest assault on decency and communal harmony.”

Screenshot/Twitter

He said security agencies will investigate the attack and said a joint security meeting of leaders in the southwest part of the country will be held to discuss the situation.

In the meantime, Akeredolu called on local residents to “remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities.”

In a May 22 event at the Church at Shelby Crossings in Calera, members of the International Committee on Nigeria spoke about the increasing violence in the country. Zamani Kafang, a professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Kaduna State University in Kaduna, Nigeria, and a member of ICON, said he personally knows 20 pastors who have been killed during the past 10 years.

“Radicalized Muslims are persecuting us, and we need America — the champion of freedom — to pressure our government to help us,” he said.

Read more here:

Professor, theologian urges advocacy for persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Share with others:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email

Latest News

  • Nazareth Baptist pastor retires after 51 years of bivocational ministry
    Nazareth Baptist pastor retires after 51 years of bivocational ministry
    September 29, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Church at Chelsea Westover opens new kids’ building
    Church at Chelsea Westover opens new kids’ building
    September 29, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Evangelist in Uganda slain after Muslims put faith in Jesus
    Evangelist in Uganda slain after Muslims put faith in Jesus
    September 29, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Militants murder 43 Nigerian Christians

July 1, 2022

ABUJA, Nigeria — Militants killed at least 43 Christians in Nigeria, as ongoing violence has prompted thousands to gather together

Belarus officials threaten pastor, congregants with prosecution

November 23, 2021

MINSK, Belarus — The pastor and members of New Life Pentecostal Church in Minsk have been threatened with administrative and

Christian man sentenced, fined for ‘undermining’ faith of Muslims

September 30, 2021

AIN-DEFLA PROVINCE, Algeria — An Algerian court sentenced and fined a Christian man July 8 for allegedly accepting unauthorized donations

Pakistani Christians face charges for studying Bible in public park

March 8, 2021

LAHORE, Pakistan — Two Christians face blasphemy charges for studying the Bible in a park on Feb. 13. Haroon Ayub

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
The Alabama Baptist
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 The Alabama Baptist, Inc.
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thealabamabaptist.org

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service

Log In

Lost your password?

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel